Young driver news
13/05/2009
Car insurance woes for two Crawley women
Many motorists approaching their 25th birthday would be hoping that their young driver car insurance costs would be coming down, but a Crawley woman will find car cover an expensive necessity after receiving an 18 month ban for drink-driving.
The 24-year-old female driver offered to drive her friend's MG after the pair had been out in Crawley town centre on April 14.
However, having consumed two large glasses of wine and not possessing a full driving licence or valid car insurance, she was not a good choice for the journey.
The 22-year-old vehicle owner, who had consumed cocktails and champagne, sat in the front passenger seat of the MG and was therefore technically in charge of the vehicle.
Their car was soon spotted travelling the wrong way round a one way system and when stopped by police, both occupants were found to be over the legal blood alcohol limit of 35 microgrammes.
The driver registered 59mg of alcohol and the owner 121mg.
The vehicle owner's solicitor, said, "She knew she was too drunk to drive as soon as she left the last bar.
"She did not realise she was doing anything illegal by allowing her friend to drive and she now accepts that by sitting in the front passenger seat she was in charge of the vehicle. She made a mistake but cooperated fully with police."
Magistrates gave the driver an 18 month driving ban and a fine of £750 plus £60 costs. While the owner received 10 penalty points on her licence and a £700 fine. She will also have to pay costs of £60.
Both women are likely to find that the price of their young driver car insurance will rise significantly as a result of the driving convictions.
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